“Bought him. Didn’t think I stole him, did you?” demanded the man indignantly.
Stacy shrugged his shoulders, but made no reply. He resumed his fishing.
“Let me give you some advice, young fellow. This is no place for children. You git out of here, and stay out. I’ll be back later, and if you’re here then I’ll help you out on the run.”
“Thanks,” drawled the fat boy without looking up.
The stranger rode away, and Stacy resumed his fishing. He caught a fine mess of trout; then the grubs gave out. Being too tired to return to the shack just then the Overlander decided to take a nap, which he proceeded to do. Night came on, and Stacy Brown was still asleep. So was Elfreda Briggs, in the shack. Miss Briggs had not moved since she lay down hours before.
It was late when she finally suddenly roused herself and sat up. The cabin was enshrouded in darkness. Peering out, she saw that it was night.
“Stacy!” she called. There was no response. Stacy Brown was sleeping peacefully on the bank of Roaring River.
Elfreda wondered what had awakened her so suddenly. Then all at once she understood. She heard a horse approaching. The animal stopped just beyond the cabin. Miss Briggs did not go to the door, but got to her feet and listened. She thought she heard someone groan; then all was silence for a moment.
“Oh!” exclaimed the Overland girl under her breath as the door of the shack was slowly pushed open. “Who is it?” she cried, with all the steadiness that she could summon. Miss Briggs reached for her revolver, but it was not in its holster.
A man staggered in. She could see his figure faintly outlined in the doorway.